Wright & Filippis acquires interest in South Carolina orthotics company

Wright & Filippis President and Chief Executive Officer A.J. Filippis Wednesday announced the Rochester Hills company has acquired a controlling share in Carolina Orthotics & Prosthetics of North Charleston, S.C.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Founded in 1944, Wright & Filippis, Inc. is a Michigan-based healthcare company specializing in prosthetics, orthotics, respiratory care services, and home medical equipment and supplies.

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Wright & Filippis is the largest family-owned, full-service provider in the United States with 35 locations and more than 900 employees.

Carolina O&P, an American Board of Certification-accredited provider with six locations in South Carolina, will continue to operate independently, retaining its name, management and staffing. C. Ralph Hooper, CPO, will continue to serve as the company's president.

"I've known and had great respect for Ralph Hooper and the entire staff of Carolina O&P for many years," said Filippis. "Their approach to serving their patients absolutely mirrors the Wright & Filippis mission, so this is a very, very natural fit for everyone involved.

"Wright & Filippis has resources and expertise that can truly benefit the patients served by Carolina O&P. At the same time, this investment will help strengthen Wright & Filippis, diversifying our interests and expanding our reach in the very areas upon which our company was founded -- orthotics and prosthetics."

Wright & Filippis' O&P roots date back to April 29, 1929, when 13-year-old Tony Filippis lost both of his legs after slipping beneath the wheels of a moving train. In an era when people with disabilities were frequent victims of discrimination, Filippis was unable to find steady employment -- and that's when his prosthetist, Carl Wright, offered to teach Filippis how to make artificial limbs. Ten years later, in 1944, the two men formed their own company, Wright & Filippis.

The discrimination and frustration Tony Filippis experienced fueled his lifelong passion for assisting people with disabilities. Although Filippis passed away in 2007, his son, A.J., and three generations of the Filippis family continue Tony's mission of helping people regain their independence with dignity.